In the Biz: Hattie's keeps busy post-Mardi Gras party

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Historic Hattie's Restaurant at 45 Phila St. has renamed its patio the French Quarter Lounge, a new dining option for its bar patrons.

The freshly designed and heated lounge features regular dining tables and the full dinner menu.

Hattie's Restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week from 5 to 10 p.m., serving brunch Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The eatery's daily happy hour is from 5 to 7 p.m., and Monday night is Industry Night and BOGO Night.

Hattie's Chicken Shack in Wilton is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Hattie's Restaurant has been a Saratoga Springs landmark since 1938, serving Southern and Louisiana cuisine, including Hattie's famous Southern fried chicken, jambalaya and Jasper's macaroni and cheese. The restaurant was recently named "Best Fried Chicken in the USA" by Food and Wine.

The charitable legacy of founder Hattie Grey continues today with owners and staff donating time, effort and food to raise money for several charities throughout the Capital Region. Hattie's annual Mardi Gras event earlier this month raised more than $250,000 for various Saratoga County nonprofits.

Hip Hello opens downtown space

Lizzie Sorensen's Hip Hello, a 12-year-old business development firm, has revamped and opened a studio space at 12 Lake Ave., above Rockabella Boutique, in Saratoga Springs.

Working with landlords Dan and Mary Conboy, Sorensen was able to style her new 400-square-foot studio with sleek hardwoods, gallery white walls and installations of her portfolio along one large wall.

"The space feels like home for both me and my clients," Sorensen said. "Clients can sit down inside my brain here and we can get right to work on their own creative angles to help them grow their brands."

Since she acquired the space in mid-September and renovated it, two additional creative firms have moved in. Landlord Mary Conboy said 10-12 Lake Ave. is becoming quite the artistic space.

Sorensen, who grew up in Saratoga Springs and Niskayuna, is proud to call 12 Lake home.

After 10 years of meeting clients in a coffee shop or bringing them into her home office, it made sense to Sorensen to expand and have a street presence as well as a comfortable space for confidential consultations. It is important to Hip Hello to offer a safe environment in which to share ideas, as many of Sorensen's clients come to her looking to launch a patented or pending trademark product.

"Being seen out with me at a local café usually means that you're on the verge of something you may not want the rest of the town to know about just yet," she said.

Hip Hello designs websites, social media campaigns and branding packages and specializes in event management and public relations. The company was founded as Lizzie Sorensen Brand Management in 2001.

Slugger's Den, an indoor baseball/softball training facility, has moved into the Price Chopper Plaza at 175 Ballston Ave. in Saratoga Springs. The facility is part of Brian Miller's Soul Center, situated where Blockbuster movies used to be. In this 10,000-square-foot space, various businesses now offer fitness, wellnessa, sports and art under one roof, which is Miller's vision.

The facility features three state-of-the-art tunnels and major league-quality pitching machines, as well as individualized instruction for players from T-ball to college age.

The staff uses a variety of teaching methods and programs designed for a player's specific age, skill level and goals, creating a positive environment in which every player can excel.